Greater Catholic League Co-Ed Central Preview
It’s the last week of November which could only mean one thing. We are less than a week away from the start of the 2017-18 regular season in Ohio. With November 30th right around the corner, we will be previewing different conferences in the Greater Cincinnati area. Today we look at the Greater Catholic League Co-Ed Central Conference.
- What will it take for Roger Bacon to Repeat?
The Spartans lost 5 of their top players from a team that finished 2 points shy from a state title. With so many new names on the varsity roster this season, Bacon will have to grow up fast if they hope to repeat as conference champions. One thing that does bode well for Coach Neal is that a lot of these players are not new to his system having played significant JV minutes last season.
- Who are the biggest challengers to Roger Bacon?
Over on Hackberry Avenue in the Walnut Hills neighborhood, Coach Scott Kerr looks to have one of the better teams in the area, regardless of division. After a year of adjustment with a young team, that team is not so young anymore and they have the talent to take the title from Bacon.
- Who are the dark horse teams?
While this looks to be a two- team race, do not be surprised if Archbishop McNicholas is a factor in the conference race. With the talented senior duo of Ryan Reidy (#179 PHO C/O 2018) and Cole Burdick, the Rockets could steal a win or two from the Cavaliers and/or Spartans which could mean the difference in winning or losing the conference.
- Who will lead the league in scoring?
A lot of the returning scorers from last year moved on due to graduation, so the leaderboard in this area will look totally different than from last year. For this season look for A.J. Garrett (#41 PHO C/O 2019) to be the leader in the scoring category in the league. Standing 6’4 with a versatile offensive skill-set, Garrett excels at hitting shots from 12-17 feet and in transition as well. But he will have competition for this distinction from teammate Javonta Lyons, a wing/forward who averaged close to 14ppg last season.
- Who will lead the league in double-doubles?
This year for the GCL- Co-Ed Central will be different in that there is not as much size in the conference as in past years. But when you combine his size, versatility and athleticism A.J Garrett would be the top candidate to average a double-double.
- Who will win league player of the year?
This will be a three- man race between two teammates from Purcell and a Roger Bacon Spartan. From Purcell you will have juniors A.J. Garrett and Javonta Lyons and from Bacon senior guard Brandon Bibbs. As always team success will be a factor in the race and all three of these young men are on the teams expected to finish one-two this season. But I expect Purcell to be able to play at a little faster pace this season with Ace Taylor and Jared Baldock doing most of the ball-handling duties. This style of play bodes well for a player with good length who is active around the rim and can attack off the dribble. Also, it is a good style of player who can finish and get out on the break as well. That is why I pick A.J. Garrett as the pre-season player of the year.
- Who is the league’s top breakout candidate?
A few months back there was a sneaky transfer in the area that did not get a lot of conversation. One of the better freshman point guards in Cincinnati, Jared Baldock, left Finneytown and transferred over to Purcell Marian. In Baldock Coach Kerr gets a player that can flat out shoot the basketball, but can also make plays off the dribble and in transition as well. Having the chance to play at a successful program like Purcell will give the rest of the area a chance to see a very talented underclassman.
- Who made our pre-season all-league first team?
G- Ryan Reidy, McNicholas
G- Brandon Bibbs, Roger Bacon
W/F- Javonta Lyons, Purcell Marian
F- A.J. Garrett, Purcell Marian
F- Justin Pappas, Hamilton Badin
G- Greg Phelia III, Roger Bacon
G- Jared Baldock, Purcell Marian
Predicted Order to Finish
- Purcell Marian
- Roger Bacon
- McNicholas
- Hamilton Badin
*** Stats courtesy of the GCL Co-Ed website